The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Pepperdine men’s volleyball team heading into its 2018 season.
Hall of Fame head coach Marv Dunphy, the program’s top Wave for four decades, retired last summer, but his voice still makes its way to the ears of Pepperdine’s players—by way of new Pepperdine coach David Hunt, a coaching protégé and assistant coach for Dunphy the last 10 years, and the volleyball icon himself who dropped by the squad’s fall practices each day to provide input.
“Its nice still have Marv on campus,” Hunt said. “He is probably one of the greatest assets that a coach can have—someone with his experience keeping a watchful eye on what is going on.”
The new head coach said Dunphy (who has an office in Pepperdine’s athletic building) being present gives the players continuity. Hunt said the Waves stop by their old head coach’s office to chat about life, school or volleyball.
“It’s good for the guys,” he said. “There wasn’t this feeling-out period, which happens when you have a new coach. With us, you are just hearing a little more from one person, and a little less from another.”
Pepperdine closed the 2017 season with a 10-12 record and a loss to Hawaii in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament. The Waves had five weeks of practice, which ended last week. The team has time off until Dec. 26. Pepperdine will compete in the University of Alberta Tournament Dec. 29-31 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Like years past, the Waves will begin the 2018 campaign with a talented roster and high expectations.
Hunt described the group as “feisty guys that really care about their teammates.”
“That is a unique combination,” he said. “We have a group of guys that compete really well, and compete with their teammates really well. They are committed to be the best versions of themselves. It’s fun for a coach.”
One of the top returners is junior outside hitter David Wieczorek. The 6-foot-8 outside hitter is the reigning two-time winner of the Off The Block/Springbak, Inc. Fan Choice National Player of the Year honor. Wieczorek also was an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American honorable mention and an All-MPSF first team honoree last season. He played for the U.S. National Team last summer.
Hunt said Wieczorek, who had 28 kills in a game against UCSD last April, is an improved passer and defender.
“He has always been driven and committed to be a great volleyball player,” Hunt said. “You hear about 10,000 hours to mastery and now his hours are getting up there. He is doing a lot of things really well.”
Sophomore Noah Dyer, a 6-foot-5 outside hitter, is another top returner. He was named to the MPSF All-Freshman at the close of a season, which featured him having seven matches with double-digit kills. Dyer trained with the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team last summer.
Hunt said Dyer is a “cerebral” player. He said training with the U.S. squad showed Dyer how to merge the physical and mental aspects of the sport.
“Last year, he came in and probably weighed 160 pounds soaking wet,” Hunt said. “He realized strength was going to be a really big factor for him as he trained, so he just committed himself to be a stronger athlete. That has led him to be able to train at a really high level.”
Hunt said multiple other players exceled during Pepperdine’s fall practices including a trio of 6-foot-6 Waves: senior Alex Harthaller and juniors Michael Wexter and Max Chamberlain. The coach said the three have come back as more physically imposing than a year ago.
With a group of Waves ready to have standout seasons, Hunt said he doesn’t expect one or two players to be team leaders.
“We expect everyone to lead in their own way,” he said.
Dunphy, the iconic coach, will be honored during the Waves Jan. 20 game against UC Santa Barbara, Pepperdine ‘s third consecutive game after the start of the new year.
Hunt said the only expectations he has for the Waves is for them to work hard.
“I don’t think our guys are so crummy that they have to play perfect to win,” he said. “Our guys have learned to make the best out of some funky situation. If we can train and compete every day we put ourselves in position to win.”